BNSF Recognized as a Top Veteran-Friendly Company

Sep 15, 2014 11:00 AM ET

BNSF Railway recently received a 2014 Best of The Best award from U.S. Veterans Magazine for being rated one of the top veteran-friendly companies in the country. 

BNSF’s ranking was based on poll results collected by U.S. Veterans Magazine of hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies.

“It’s a ‘win-win’ when we can reinforce our railroad with our nation’s veterans, who are extremely dedicated to accomplishing the task and proven in their skills,” explained John Wesley, manager, Military Staffing, and a U.S. Army veteran. “With this award, BNSF is recognized as a leading employer that understands the value of veterans.” Wesley noted the range of ways BNSF reaches out to veterans, including career fairs, transition assistance, social media and other advertising methods and more.  This year, BNSF will attend approximately 160 military-related recruiting events. BNSF works with more than 400 military-related agencies to make veterans aware of opportunities with the company. “Our Military Staffing program, with two full-time employees and a robust careers website, helps attract our nation’s veterans,” Wesley added. “Building a strong and reliable workforce that is focused on safety is extremely important to BNSF." BNSF continues to find new ways to reach military veterans, who currently make up 17 percent of the company’s workforce. BNSF has hired more than 1,300 veterans so far in 2014 and more than 6,500 veterans since 2005.